Impacts of Fine Particulate Matter Air Pollution and Health Disparities on COVID-19 Infection and Mortality

Abstract

Background:

Black communities, comprising 32.2% of Louisiana’s population, were disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Significant social disparities and a high prevalence of chronic health conditions within this demographic have heightened their vulnerability to the virus. Long-term exposure to air pollutants, along with preexisting immune and respiratory conditions, has been associated with increased susceptibility to COVID-19. This study seeks to evaluate the relationship between fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) exposure and COVID-19 incidence and mortality rates in Louisiana, USA.

Methods:

Descriptive and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations between PM_2.5 levels and county-level COVID-19 incidence and mortality (both count and rate) in Louisiana. ArcGIS spatial analysis was utilized to perform zonal statistics, enabling a geographic assessment of the relationships between air pollution and COVID-19 outcomes.

Results:

Louisiana’s 19-year average PM_2.5 concentration (9.1 µg/m³) exceeds the U.S. average (8.4 µg/m³). Prolonged exposure to PM_2.5 has been linked to heightened COVID-19 risks. Specifically, a 1 µg/m³ increase in PM_2.5 corresponded to approximately 15% higher COVID-19 incidence and a 22%–35% rise in mortality rates among Black populations, after adjusting for underlying health conditions and risk factors (p < 0.05). Black communities faced approximately 20% greater COVID-19 risks compared with the total population. For exposure durations of 6–14 years, the COVID-19 risk increased by 6.5%–16.4% among Blacks and by 2.8%–10.5% overall. Preexisting health conditions, particularly those affecting diabetic kidney function, were more strongly associated with COVID-19 risks than respiratory diseases across all PM_2.5 exposure durations.

Conclusions:

The disproportionate impacts of COVID-19 on Black communities highlight the urgent need to address air pollution and health disparities to reduce COVID-19 risks in Louisiana. Our findings underscore the importance of controlling PM_2.5 levels and implementing effective public health responses to prevent COVID-19 and other future respiratory diseases at both local and state levels.